Global View
According to GlobeNewswire, the global pharmaceuticals market was expected to grow from $1228.45 billion in 2020 to $1250.24 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8%. The increase is primarily due to the impact of COVID-19. In addition, companies reorganised their operations and recovered from restrictive containment measures (social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities), all of which had created operational challenges. The biopharmaceutical industry employs approximately 5.5 million people worldwide (IFPMA). The market is projected to reach $1700.97 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 8%.

Africa
Africa’s pharmaceutical industry rose to $20.8 billion in 2013. It increased from just $4.7 billion a decade earlier. The rapid growth is expected to continue; the market was predicted to be worth $40 billion to $65 billion by 2020. McKinsey projected growth in every sector of Africa’s pharmaceutical market. In addition, it projected that between 2013 and 2020, prescription drugs will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6 per cent, generics at 9%, over-the-counter medicines at 6%, and medical devices at 11%.

The driving force behind the growth in this industry is urbanisation— an increase in the healthcare capacity of African countries as more healthcare centres and facilities open. In addition, a more supportive environment for businesses as the government introduced price controls and import restrictions to encourage domestic drug manufacture.

Ghana
The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy reported that: “Pharmaceutical sales in Ghana reached GH¢2.69 billion ($462mn) in 2020, and we forecast figures to rise to GH¢2.86 billion ($468mn) in 2021. Looking further forward to 2025, we expect sales to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 8.0 per cent in local currency (3.3 per cent in dollars) to reach GH¢3.96bn ($544mn).”

Ghana Pharma market is the size of $586 million in 2019. It is slated to move to $616 million in 2020, with a forecasted growth of 5.3%. 

The Ghanaian parliament passed the ‘Narcotics Control Commission Bill 2019’ in March 2020 to treat drug dependence as a public health rather than a criminal issue. In addition, Ghana is attempting to become the ECOWAS’ hub for pharmaceutical investment. 

In 2019, Ghana’s generic drugs market size was USD 376 million. It represented 63.8% of the total market value and 86.6% of the prescription drug market. By 2020, the generic drug market is expected to reach $395 million. Generic drug sales are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% to reach a value of USD 595 million) by 2024. It will make up a 63.2% share of the pharmaceutical market in Ghana. Generic prescribing will increase as health insurance coverage increases and the government enacts further cost-containment measures, encouraging generic substitution. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation has created projects to fund the domestic production of essential generic drugs in Ghana.

Pharmaceutical imports were estimated at USD 263 million in 2019. This might reach $312mn by 2024 at 3.5%. Most pharmaceutical imports, predominantly low-value generic drugs, are from India and the EU. According to the forecast, exports will increase from USD3.8mn in 2019 to USD 5.8million by 2024, at a CAGR of 8.8%. This increase is faster than imports over the same period, which is set to develop considerably, albeit from a much lower base. According to Fitch Solutions, pharmaceutical sales reached $299 million in 2018, up slightly from $293 million in 2017. Sector income represented 0.5% of Ghana’s GDP and 13% of total healthcare expenditure in 2018.

Kenya
There are many pharmaceutical companies in Kenya. The country, located in the east of Africa, is the 5th largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also the dominant economy in the East African Community (EAC), with 40% of the entire region’s GDP. The Kenya pharmaceutical field is a growing sector, with a lot of opportunities for investors to tap in due to the ever-increasing population (47.6 million in 2019), urbanisation and government spending on medicine. Kenya also has political stability, a stable power supply, low inflation rates. The sector is valued above $1 billion. Kenya is the 3rd largest exporter of pharmaceuticals in Africa, and the leading pharmaceutical producer in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The Big Four Agenda by the government seeks to empower the manufacturing sector, including pharmaceutical manufacturing in Kenya.

Nigeria
Despite the potential to hold 30 to 40% of the African pharma market with fresh policy initiatives, the Nigerian pharmaceutical business has remained static at $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion. However, Goldstein Market Intelligence analyst forecasts the Nigeria pharmaceuticals market size to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast years of 2017-2030.

South Africa
South Africa has the world’s largest antiretroviral programme and is one of the major producers of radiopharmaceuticals. Generic drugs dominate the local pharmaceutical industry in South Africa and primarily focus on producing pharmaceuticals for the country’s most prevalent killers, including HIV/AIDS, TB, hepatitis A and B, and over-the-counter drugs for the flu, pain, and other common disorders. 

Despite being the leading producer and provider of pharmaceuticals in sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa heavily depends on imported goods, which make up more than two-thirds of the country’s pharmaceutical sales.

The South African healthcare system is getting more and more investment. According to Fitch Solutions, it will likely expand because of the country’s sizable population, NHI initiatives, a sizable private sector, and private/public partnerships. With a compound annual growth rate of 6.7% over the following five years, the pharmaceutical industry is projected to experience steady growth and a total of R643.5 billion by 2025.

According to GlobalData, the South African medical devices market size was valued at $3.6 billion in 2021. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 4% during the forecast period (2022-2027).

• Flexible Production
  Due to changing market dynamics, the pharmaceutical industry is exploring new ways of manufacturing. The industry is embracing Single-use bioreactors because they reduce downtime and increase productivity. New bioreactor systems and continuous manufacturing processes address the increasing focus on biopharmaceuticals. In addition to eliminating downtime, continuous manufacturing has low energy needs, achieves high productivity, and minimises the amount of waste.

• Growth in biosimilar adoption
  A biosimilar is a biological medicine that is similar and clinically equivalent to existing biological medicine. The popularity and market share of biosimilars have increased significantly since 2018 due to the price fall, making drugs more affordable. 

• Investment in innovative breakthrough therapies
  The pharmaceutical companies are investing more in breakthrough therapies to diversify their portfolios. Gene and cell therapies could make substantial advancements and a new approach to treating diseases. For example, cancer treatments have been advancing, offering clinical benefits and increased specificity through engineered cell or gene therapies. 

• Precision Medicine
  Precision medicine treats each patient as a unique individual. Advancements in omic and data analysis provide new insights into how the human body responds to drugs. This knowledge and advanced manufacturing methods such as additive manufacturing make personalised medicine a reality. Drug exposure models determine the properties of drugs for arriving at the correct dosage for medications based on age, sex, comorbidities, and other clinical parameters

• Digital Transformation of the Industry
  Machine learning and artificial intelligence can potentially reduce the production cycle length in the supply chain. Manufacturers may use this modern technology to cut downtime and product waste and improve logistics for secure product storage and distribution. This will help pharmaceuticals get to market faster. And enhance patient outcomes by making expenses and processes more efficient and simplified.

• Increased Conflict Between Affordability and Access
  The intense discussion over access to expensive medication therapies is driven by the trend toward cost restraint in healthcare. As a result, formulary decisions are increasingly involving healthcare executives. Pharmaceutical companies need to disclose more evidence-based data on health outcomes to support a particular therapy or medication. All parties, including insurers, healthcare providers, and patients, must be informed about the value.
• Decentralised Clinical Trials
  Clinical trials have progressed from classic site-based trials to more current site-less decentralised trials (DCTs). Data is collected remotely using connected gadgets, telemedicine, or mobile healthcare practitioners. DCTs, among other things, offer patients a more streamlined experience, reducing time-consuming in-person appointments and allowing for greater patient access, such as in rural areas or remote towns.

• Research into traditional medicinal practices and products
• Value addition to herbal medicinal resources and traditional knowledge
• Developing new and improved tools for the prevention, treatment, and control of diseases of local importance
• Nanomedicine and Chemical Biology
• Molecular and Systems Pharmacology
• Pharmacogenomics and functional genomics: Bioinformatic approaches for Infectious diseases; Personalised vaccines and immunity; Natural products and alternative medicine: Role of bioinformatics; Pharmacogenomics for Diabetes and Obesity.
• Quantitative and systems pharmacology: Cardiovascular, metabolic, and oncology drug development; Target site delivery; Immuno-Oncology applications; Molecular docking; Translational pharmacology; Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia; Toxicology
• Molecular Pharmacology: Molecular Signaling / Mechanism of Drug Action; Chemical Biology / Drug Discovery; Structure of Drug-Receptor Complex; Systems Analysis of Drug Action; Drug Transport / Metabolism; Neuroscience and Pain; Clinical Pharmacology; Immunopharmacology
• Therapeutic bioengineering: Nanomedicine; Spinal Muscular Atrophy; Amniotic Fluid Cells; Gene- and Cell-Based Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease.

SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The pharmaceutical industry works to achieve GOOD HEALTH and WELL-BEING by Using our science and technology to address health needs, making pharmaceutical products (drugs) affordable and available and supporting research and development of vaccines.

Goal 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
The pharma industry has championed the campaign against drug abuse and discourages drug addiction. The industry also contributes to SDG 12 by adopting sustainable means in the production chain, thereby reducing waste.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
The pharmaceutical industry contributes to SDG 10 by providing access to drugs and vaccines to all gender and race. The pharma industry, over the years, has made drugs and vaccines for all races to ensure no one is left behind and has worked to reduce inequalities in access to them.

• The rise in Substance abuse
  The social and economic restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic have already seriously impacted health and social fields. COVID-19 outbreak has led to the implementation of social distancing to contain the spread of the disease, changing people’s lifestyles. People have anxiety and fear for their health and jobs and are forced to live an unfamiliar lifestyle, deprived of relationships. 

  Furthermore, the condition of people with psychological troubles may have worsened during the pandemic due to unconsciously mirroring others’ feelings. This peculiar situation may have pushed more people toward deviant behaviour linked to licit or illicit substance use. It may have been an excellent opportunity for drug dealers to attract new customers. However, global issues have not favoured the usual trade business. Indeed, social distancing has substantially reduced drug trafficking on the streets, pushing consumers toward illegal markets on the dark web or through messaging application

• Data breaches and other cybersecurity threats
  As consumer data becomes more valuable, the number of cyberattacks is also increasing. According to IBM’s 2020 Cost of a Data Breach Report, cyberattacks cost the industry more than $5 million in 2019. It is the fourth most-impacted industry, just behind health care, energy and finance. On the manufacturing side, increased use of internet-connected manufacturing technology — such as industrial IoT sensors — may make manufacturing facilities more vulnerable to attack. As a result, companies need to invest more in cybersecurity.

• Rising consumer expectations and difficulties managing brand health
  Customers are scrutinising and demanding more from the pharmaceutical companies. As a result, brand management may be more crucial than usual for the rest of the year. Also, it is becoming more typical for customers to carefully analyse the dollar value of medicine and shop about it before purchasing it. Therefore, in the future, pharmaceutical companies will need to manage rising consumer expectations and be ready to respond to brand crises.

• Vaccine Distribution Challenge
  The logistics of vaccines distribution to areas where it is needed is quite tricky as it requires several infrastructures to protect the vaccines. In addition, the demand for vaccines varies across regions. Low and middle-income countries lack the infrastructure to store, transport and deliver vaccines effectively. Therefore, there is a need for firms in this sector to harness big data to meet the demand and supply challenges regarding vaccine distribution
• Price Control of Certain Drugs
  The price of certain drugs developed for special needs tends to be extremely high than generic drugs. As a result, the price of such drugs has drawn debate and criticism from customers across various regions. The cost of producing such drugs and the number of years put into developing such drugs are a factor in determining the price. However, government bodies are beginning to regulate the cost of such special needs drugs. 
  
  

Artificial Intelligence
Using artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates drug discovery and development processes. For clinical trials, patient identification in the drug discovery and development process is crucial. AI helps simplify identifying the eligibility criteria and the inclusion of patients. Furthermore, it makes the cohort identification process faster and cheaper.

Blockchain
Blockchain technology is vital for the pharmaceutical industry in every stage of the production and distribution of drugs. However, the stakeholders in the pharma industry are, in general, extremely secretive. Therefore, blockchain technology is also being explored to tackle the use of counterfeit medicines and substandard drugs that enter the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Extended Reality (XR)
Mixed reality (MR), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) is enabling visualisations. Pharma startups are exploring the possibilities of extended reality technologies in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing spheres. Extended reality tools enable data-rich and meaningful real-time location-agonistic interaction among research teams. In addition, startups are making human augmentation in pharma a reality through extended reality wearables and devices.

Digital pills
These are ingestible drugs with embedded electrical circuits that can benefit select patients, particularly those with special needs. The acidic environment in the stomach activates the pill’s sensor, which then begins to send Bluetooth signals to an external patch as soon as the patient consumes the tablet. For patients with severe diseases like schizophrenia and severe depression, such pills might be life-changing, as skipping a medicine can have significant implications.

Virtual Reality
In this field, the arrival of virtual reality technology has been a major changer. One of the most compelling VR applications is stress relief and pain reduction for chronic pain patients. In addition, patients may be prescribed virtual reality therapy to help them overcome fears of heights, schizophrenia, or paranoia. Brennan Spiegel (Professor of Medicine and Public Health at UCLA) and his colleagues discovered that VR therapies significantly reduced pain scores. He believes that VR pharmacies will exist in the future, with doctors prescribing the proper VR treatment to patients.

3D Printing Drugs
The pharmaceutical sector has a lot of promise for 3D printing because of its individualised and highly customised features. For example, 3D printing can print complicated structures on tablets to manage the release rate, produce pills on-demand to improve dosage accuracy, and manufacture organs-on-a-chip for drug testing. Furthermore, 3D printing can accurately control the distribution of cells, extracellular matrix, and biomaterials. Aprecia Pharmaceuticals’ Spritam (levetiracetam) is an example of a 3D printed drug; new possibilities are expected in the coming years with this technological advantage.

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical sales representatives educate medical professionals like nurses, pharmacists, and practitioners about medical products and communicate their value. They must train extensively to gain knowledge that they can later relay to other parties. Pharmaceutical sales representatives must be able to express their thoughts and information clearly. Additionally, they must understand the consumers and how to interact with them.

Clinical Data Manager
Clinical data managers are professionals that guide those who evaluate and combine data from trials. This job requires exceptional management skills and knowledge of dealing with sensitive data. A clinical data manager works with other data professionals and researchers to manage the recorded data. Clinical data managers also evaluate the data recorded from clinical trials and share their findings with other teams. To be a successful clinical data manager, you need excellent mathematical skills and a passion for discovering and using new technology.

Regulatory Specialist
Regulatory specialists help biopharma companies gain approval for the products they create. They also play a part in deciding how to make products more compliant with the regulations set out by the government. In addition, regulatory specialists work with scientists to inform them about which substances are fit for use and which substances they need to avoid. Checking product labels written by companies for any errors or prohibited substances is also a part of the job of regulatory specialists.

Research Scientist
As a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, you must perform various experiments to develop, refine or create new medicines. This job typically requires a high level of skill and information and has the opportunity for increased pay. Extensive knowledge of biology and chemistry is necessary for research scientists to carry out clinical trials and determine the side effects of different drugs. To succeed in this pharma industry position, you need to pay great attention to detail and have excellent analytical skills.

Medical Science Liaison
The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is a relatively new role in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and other healthcare industries. A medical science liaison typically concentrates on a specific therapeutic area, such as Oncology or Hematology. They usually work for a company developing pharmaceutical products for that therapeutic area. The MSL role is evolving and has seen exponential growth in recent years.

Biomedical researcher
A Pharmaceutical science qualification can also lead to a career in biochemical research within the private sector. This path would often take a graduate into the pharmaceutical industry, where their research focuses on generating and evaluating possible treatments for diseases and medical conditions.

Clinical Research Associate
As a Clinical Research Associate, you will use your experience running experiments, gathering data, and documenting the results during clinical trials. The typical employers for this role include Clinical Research Organizations (“CROs”), pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, or, less frequently, hospitals and universities. In simple terms, the role involves coordinating, collecting, distributing, and storing data obtained during clinical trials. In addition, a clinical research associate will need to liaise with this committee and inform them of how the trial is progressing.

Project Managers
Project managers in the world of pharmaceuticals oversee novel medicines, medical equipment, and other healthcare product development. The job role includes scope management, project planning, execution, and monitoring, Timeline and budget planning and management, stakeholders management, regulatory and compliance strategy management, environment safety, Risk management, and Team Management.

Other Job roles in the industry include:
Laboratory technician, Microbiologist, Biomedical engineer, Product development scientist, Senior scientist, Research scientist, Principal scientist, Epidemiologist, Clinical, research scientist, Production Supervisor, Instrumentation Engineer, Manufacturing Engineers, Validation Engineers, Quality Engineer, and Facilities Engineer.

Highest Paying Jobs
The highest paying jobs include:
Product Development Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Research Scientist, Principal Scientist, Clinical Research Administrator, Clinical Research Scientist, Pharmacovigilance manager.

Communication & Persuasion
The pharmaceutical industry has a lot of medical terminologies as a science. However, it is also a big business. Therefore, professionals in the pharmaceutical industry can benefit from being skilled communicators for communicating the science to regulators, the effectiveness of the prescriptions to doctors and pharmacists, and guidance on usage in packs for patients.

Teamwork and Networking
The pharma industry works on several drug projects and thrives in this sector. You would need to work with or as part of a team of experts/professionals. Having a team spirit will help you work with your team effectively. Networking is also important to sell and promote developed drugs to other players in the medical world and marketers. Having a good network will help.

Numeracy and Financial Literacy
The production and distribution of drugs hinge upon getting the correct dosage. Therefore, one needs to know numbers and units (grams, ml, etc.) to avoid overprescribing or underprescribing medicines to customers. Also, having the proper financial knowledge of the price of products is critical.

Continual Learning & Adaptation
The pharmaceutical industry is known for evolving and changing. To keep up and progress in this sector requires being aware of developments and challenges in the healthcare sector, how they affect the healthcare industry, and the ability to make informed decisions regarding the company’s future and its products.

Planning & Organisation
Pharmaceutical businesses are constantly working on various projects; these initiatives help the companies expand and are the reason for the industry’s continual evolution. Therefore, being organised and your ability to work to plan will help you in this industry. Also, in interfacing with customers, you should be able to identify issues and problems and be clear on what to do to solve these problems.

Digital Skills
Like many other industries, the pharmaceutical industry is undergoing digitisation, and there is an opportunity for developing and harnessing these digital tools. Having data science and analysis skills will be great as you can extract and present data from drug testing and trials, sales and customers’ response to drugs across various regions in a simple manner.

The industry is open to all kinds of professionals and degrees. Still, there are specific degrees for technical roles and specialised units in the industry. For core pharmaceutical roles in the industry, you must have a first degree in pharmacy, e.g. Bachelor in Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (D.Pharm). This diploma can help you become eligible for various positions in the pharmaceutical sector. Here are other degrees you can earn for specialised roles in the pharmaceutical industry: 

Further degrees include Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm) and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D). MSc in Industrial pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical Sciences, International Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics, Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences: Drug Discovery and Development, Master in Pharmaceutical Technology: Discovery, Development and Production, Master in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety and Drug Discovery and Safety.

Here is a list of other certifications for Professionals in the Pharmaceutical Industry:

• Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP)
• Graduate Certificate in Good Manufacturing Practice
• Pharmacy Technician Certificate
• Biomedical Auditor – CBA 
• Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence

Applying for an internship with a pharmaceutical company can be a fantastic way to get your foot in the industry. This will not only help you get experience, but it will also help you develop a network of people within the organisation. If your internship goes well, you may be offered a full-time position. If not, you’ll at least have some work experience to fall back on.

You can also work for a temp agency, as large pharmaceutical businesses frequently outsource or supplement their workforce with temporary workers. But, again, establishing an excellent work record and building connections may be enough to get you in.

Top pharmaceutical corporations frequently recruit certified individuals with job expertise in a specific discipline. In this industry, referrals are also used in recruiting.

A lot of university research experience is advantageous since many research institutes or labs may hire students as research assistants or post-grads. In addition, having that hands-on experience can help you move fully into the industry.

To start a pharmaceutical company right out of school is difficult as the industry is highly regulated. In addition, drug discovery & development and getting approval takes a lot of years and credibility in the researchers. 

Tips to open your own Pharma Store
It is also possible to own a pharmaceutical store either as a pharmacist or a business person. You can also hold a pharma franchise by partnering with an existing pharmacy store. This involves buying the right to sell the franchisor’s goods or services under a current business model and trademark. 

It is worthy to note that starting your pharma store requires you to meet some guidelines and regulatory standards, which vary in different countries and regions. For Nigerians, registering your business name with the corporate affairs commissions and getting certified by the PCN is essential before you set out.

Next is conducting market research to inform your choice of where to set up your practice. In addition, the market research will help you with information on the people living in that area or region, which will help market your brand to them. 

 There are also regulations involved in setting up your physical store. Establish standard spacing and equipment, as this is part of what regulators will check before approving your practice. Working with a consultant is essential to get all the information you need and start strong.

Since it’s a new store, employing locals will contribute to the economy of that area. In addition, it can be a means of reaching locals informally. Finally, it can build trust between you and your prospective customers.

Most pharmaceutical companies often usually have office buildings in an industrial zone. Professionals typically work in a specific department, such as purchasing or quality control, a production area, or a warehouse. Interacting with the end-user daily is unlikely except for those working in the marketing or sales department. 

The industry is highly competitive, especially for sales of pharma companies’ products, and it is highly regulated. So there is a need to be able to adhere to standard operating procedures. However, there is also room for career growth in this industry as you can move from one department to another as you gain experience on the job.

Working in this industry, especially in the sales or marketing department, will require you to have a good relationship with doctors, pharmacies (retails), and regulators to give your product an edge in the market. 

There are more openings for marketing jobs in Africa, which may serve as an entry into the industry. Marketing roles in the pharma industry involve a lot of travelling as you’ll need to meet with other professionals on the medical and health practices to market your products.

Technical roles in the industry often require you to work in a laboratory with a team of other professionals for research, development of new drugs or modification of existing drugs. Also, workers in this role give situational or progress reports on projects to managers and regulators in this sector.

Pay in the top pharmaceutical companies is very attractive and high, with many work benefits for employees compared to smaller companies. However, the smaller companies often rely on sales commissions to compensate their workers. As a result, they offer few benefits compared to the big pharma companies.

Technical and marketing roles also require attending many industry events such as medical conferences for knowledge advancement and relationship building.

Opening a pharmaceutical store is possible as a practitioner. However, there are specific criteria to be met before a license is issued by the regulatory body, which varies in several regions. 

Most pharmaceutical companies often usually have office buildings in an industrial zone. Professionals typically work in a specific department, such as purchasing or quality control, a production area, or a warehouse. Interacting with the end-user daily is unlikely except for those working in the marketing or sales department. 

The industry is highly competitive, especially for sales of pharma companies’ products, and it is highly regulated. So there is a need to be able to adhere to standard operating procedures. However, there is also room for career growth in this industry as you can move from one department to another as you gain experience on the job.

Working in this industry, especially in the sales or marketing department, will require you to have a good relationship with doctors, pharmacies (retails), and regulators to give your product an edge in the market. 

There are more openings for marketing jobs in Africa, which may serve as an entry into the industry. Marketing roles in the pharma industry involve a lot of travelling as you’ll need to meet with other professionals on the medical and health practices to market your products.

Technical roles in the industry often require you to work in a laboratory with a team of other professionals for research, development of new drugs or modification of existing drugs. Also, workers in this role give situational or progress reports on projects to managers and regulators in this sector.

Pay in the top pharmaceutical companies is very attractive and high, with many work benefits for employees compared to smaller companies. However, the smaller companies often rely on sales commissions to compensate their workers. As a result, they offer few benefits compared to the big pharma companies.

Technical and marketing roles also require attending many industry events such as medical conferences for knowledge advancement and relationship building.

Opening a pharmaceutical store is possible as a practitioner. However, there are specific criteria to be met before a license is issued by the regulatory body, which varies in several regions. 

International
The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) – US
Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA)
International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA)

Ghana
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Pharmaceutical Association of Ghana, The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy

Kenya
Federation of Kenya Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

Nigeria
International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (APIN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) , Clinical Pharmacist Association Of Nigeria, Association Of Community Pharmacists Of Nigeria (ACPN), Nigerian Association Of Academia Pharmacists (NAAP), National Association Of Pharmaceutical Technologists And Pharmacy Technicians (NAPTTON)

South Africa
The Innovative Pharmaceutical Association South Africa: IPASA, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association of South Africa (PCMA), Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA), SA Association of Pharmaceutical Physicians (SAAPP), National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NAPM), South African Association of Hospital & Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP), United South African Pharmacies (USAP).

International
Gregory Rockson
Stephen Saad

Ghana
Lydia Alhassan, Yaw Opare-Asamoah, Gregory Rockson, Samuel Amo Tobbin

Kenya
Linet Kwamboka, Wala Amakove, Wawira Njiru, Kamamia Murichu, Jeremiah Ngugi, Timothy Mwangi

Nigeria
Dr Stella Okoli, Dora Akunyili, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

South Africa
Gus Attridge, Stephen Saad, Tony Tabatznik and family, Jamie Phares, Dineo Lioma.

International 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
Ministries of Health
Pharmaceutical Agencies

Ghana
Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, Pharmacy Council Ghana, Ministry of Health, The Drug Evaluation and Registration Department, The Herbal Medicine department

Kenya
Ministry of Health, Pharmacy and Poison Board, National Quality Control Laboratory

Nigeria
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Directory – National Institute for, Pharmaceutical Research & Development, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), Federal Ministry of Health

South Africa
South African Pharmacy Council, South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA)

International
Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Roche, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Merck & Co, Unilever, Wyeth, Lilly, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Amgen, Abbott Laboratories, Bayer, Takeda, Schering-Plough, Teva, Genentech, Astellas, Novo Nordisk, Daiichi Sankyo, Baxter International, Merck KGaA, Eisai, Shire, CSL, Daiichi Sankyo, Grifols, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Menarini, Sino Biopharmaceutical, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Endo Health Pharmaceuticals, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, STADA Arzneimittel, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Cipla, Aspen, Sun Pharmaceuticals

Startups

Africa
Meditell, Medenhanz, Drugstoc, Medrep.ng, Wella Health, Gen-rx, Chekkit Technologies, Ethomed, Yodawy, Gricd, Lifestores.

Global
Echo, EpiEndo, Meds, Acticor-Biotech, Iterum Therapeutics, Oculis, AFYX, Endomag, Lipid, 3Z.

Ghana
Novartis Ghana Ltd, Entrance Pharmaceuticals & Research Centre – Tobinco Limited, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, Roche Products (GH) LTD, kinapharma Ghana, New Global Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ghana, Danadams Pharmaceutical Industry Ghana Limited, Denk Pharma Ghana, Ansapharma Ghana, M&G Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Amponsah-Efah Pharmaceutical Company, Ayrton Drug Manufacturing Company Limited, Bedita Pharmacy Ltd, Kinapharma, Unichem Ghana Limited, Ernests Chemists Limited, Ferring, Aspen, Aidcom Ltd, Alhaji Yakubu Herbal Company Ltd, Cima Pharmaceutical Ltd, Goldleaf Pharmacare Ltd, King David Pharmaceuticals, Health Concept Pharmaceutical Ltd, Aide Chemist, Kofikrom, MPharma, Riker Pharmaceuticals

Kenya
Regal pharmaceuticals ltd, Beta healthcare ltd, Cosmos limited, Dawa limited, Elys chemical industries ltd, GSK, Universal corporation ltd, Access alliance ltd, Alpha medical manufacturers, AstraZeneca, BEA pharmaceuticals company, Biodeal laboratories ltd, Biopharma ltd, CHMP, Dinlas pharma, Galaxy pharmaceuticals, Glenmark pharmaceuticals ltd, Hightech pharmaceuticals and research inc, Innova biosciences ltd, Knight pharmaceuticals, Jaskam & company limited, Laborex Kenya, Medisel Kenya limited, Medivet products ltd, Nilson pharmaceuticals ltd, Novartis pharma services inc.

Nigeria
Mayer & Baker Nigeria PLC, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Chemiron International Limited, GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited (SWIPHA), Fidson Healthcare PLC, A & J Pharmaceutical Nig. Ltd, Phamatex Nigeria Limited, Abumec Pharmaceuticals Ltd, AC Drugs Limited, Adler Products Limited, Afrab-Chem Limited, Afrik Pharmaceuticals Plc, Agary Pharmaceutical Limited, Alben Healthcare Industries Limited, Archy Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited, Asad Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ashmina Limited, Avro Pharma Limited, Bentos Pharmaceutical Products Limited, Biopharma Nigeria Limited, Bond Chemical Industries Limited, Bulger Pharmaceuticals, Cardinal Drugs Limited, Copac Nigeria Limited, Cinnamon Drugs Limited, Ranbaxy Nigeria, HealthPlus, Asset Pharmacy, MedPlus, OneHealthNG, DrugstoreNG.

South Africa
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd, Dischem Pharmacy, Acino Healthcare Group (Pty) Ltd, Adcock Ingram Holdings Ltd, African Medicines (Pty) Ltd, Afriplex (Pty) Ltd, Thebe Medicare, AIM Africa, Alpha Pharm East Cape (Pty) Ltd, Alpha Pharm (Pty) Ltd, Amway South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Ascendis Health Ltd, Astellas Pharma (Pty) Ltd, Baxter Healthcare South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd, Bayer (Pty) Ltd, B Braun Medical (Pty) Ltd, Johnson and Johnson (Pty) Ltd, Transpharm (Pty) Ltd, MedsToGo, Africa Health Holdings, RecoMed, 3X4 Genetics.

Books

• Big Pharma by Jacky Law
• The Billion-Dollar Molecule by Barry Werth
• How to Break Into Pharmaceutical Sales: A Headhunter’s Strategy by Tom Ruff
• Drug for Life: how pharmaceutical companies define our health; Joseph Dumit
• Understanding Pharma: The Professional’s Guide to how the Pharmaceutical and BioTech Companies Works by John J Campball

Podcasts

• Pharma Intelligence Podcasts
• The Pharma Lab Show
• Off Script: A Pharma Manufacturing Podcast
• Pharmaphorum Podcast
• The pharma Letter Podcast
• The EMG Gold podcast on Apple Podcasts

Events

• Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria
• Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo
• CBI
• ExL Events
• Generica Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA)
• International Conference on Pharmaceutics & Novel Drug Delivery Systems
• NEXT Pharma Summit
• Pharmaconex
• Hemo- Alex 2022

Movies/Documentaries

• Side effects
• Cause of Death: unknown
• Prescription Thugs 
• Big Bucks, Big Pharma
• 150 Milligrams
• Warning: This Drug may Kill you

Guides/Publications

• The AAPS Journal.
• AAPS PharmSciTech.
• Acta Pharmacologica Sinica.
• Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews.
• American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy.
• American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.
• The Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
• Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology.